Strengthen home value with community spirit

Neighborhood traditions can build lasting friendships and enhance the community, but investing in your area can also lead to a higher home value. While the cold weather brings everyone indoors, bringing neighbors together will build strong bonds and ultimately, improve the neighborhood.

“Improving schools, giving back to the community and making the neighborhood look better are all investments that also increase your property value,” said Jim McEneaney, senior regional vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. “You want to show potential buyers a community that is clean, safe and inviting.”

Bring your community together with these ideas:

타 Pay it forward. The next time your local parent, neighborhood or hobby association gets together, skip the coffee and dessert, and instead bring canned food for the local food pantry or items for needy families in the area.

타 Build unity in your community. Too often, neighbors wait for the local council or school board to step in when something needs to be fixed or repaired. The next time the playground needs a clean up or the sidewalk needs shoveling, gather your neighbors and complete the project together.

타 Be watchful. Get acquainted with your local police force and attend community open houses at the station to learn about issues that may impact your area.

타 Keep a neighborly eye. Be aware of your neighbor’s needs. Is there a new baby on the block, a sick parent on the mend or a long family vacation on the horizon? Offer help and you may get the same response when you’re in need of support.